Attorneys general in Kentucky, Indiana recover millions in opioid settlements

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman and Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita recovered millions of dollars from Purdue Pharma as part of news settlements for its role in the opioid crisis.

Coleman announced a further $73.1 million settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, bringing Kentucky's total recovery to more than $1 billion from settlements with the pharmaceutical firms, according to a news release.

Kentucky's General Assembly created a system to distribute the monies, with 50% of the settlement funds distributed by the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, according to the release. The other half of the settlement funds are distributed to cities and counties according to a predetermined formula.

Under the terms of Indiana's settlement, Indiana’s state and local governments will receive up to $100 million over the next 15 years to support efforts to combat the opioid crisis, according to a release.

The majority of those funds will be distributed within the first three years, with the Sacklers contributing $1.5 billion, and Purdue Pharma providing approximately $900 million in the initial payment.

Additional payments include $500 million after one year, $500 million after two years, and $400 million after three years.

Under the terms of the settlement, Indiana's state and local governments will receive up to $100 million over the next 15 years to support efforts to combat the opioid crisis.

The majority of the settlement funds will be distributed within the first three years, with the Sacklers contributing $1.5 billion and Purdue providing approximately $900 million in the initial payment, according to the release.

Additional payments include $500 million after one year, $500 million after two years, and $400 million after three years.

"The settlement permanently ends the Sackler family’s control of Purdue Pharma and prohibits them from participating in the opioid industry in the United States," Rokita said in the news release.

Like prior opioid settlements, the settlement with Purdue and the Sacklers will involve resolution of legal claims by state and local governments. The local government sign-on and voting solicitation process for this settlement moving forward will be contingent on bankruptcy court approval.

A hearing is scheduled on that matter in the coming days.

Attorney Generals Coleman and Rokita were joined in securing this settlement in principle by the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.